The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed six cases of monkeypox in two Local Government Areas of the state.
Confirming the outbreak of the disease in Lafia, the State Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Yahaya, said the first case was reported in Keffi LGA in May this year.
He added that healthcare workers in the state have been sensitised and trained on the occurrence of the disease.
Yahaya also noted that drugs and essential commodities have been procured and treatment obtained in all general hospitals and the Federal Medical Centre Keffi.
He said an emergency operational centre for monkeypox has been activated while an incident manager has been appointed.
“All necessary measures have been put in place in strategic areas to fight against the spread of the disease in the state,” says the commissioner.
He further enlightened the public that the disease can be transmitted through direct contact with infectious rash, scabs such as kissing body fluids of infected persons, respiratory secretions, face to face prolonged contact, and intimate physical contact with contaminated persons.
Yahaya also noted that monkey pox lasts between two to four weeks. Adding to it that it’s characterised by fever, headache, muscle pains, and swollen lymph nodes.
According to the commissioner, the invitation period ranges from five to 21 days. “Children, and pregnant women are more vulnerable to contracting the disease.”
He, therefore, enjoined citizens to report suspected symptoms to the nearest medical facilities in the state and maintain environmental hygiene in their respective communities.
This is coming as Katsina State says it has recommended its first case of Monkeypox disease, treated and discharged the patient.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Danja, confirmed this at the distribution of medicare and free medicines to the 34 LGAs of the state in Katsina.